Hey guys,

my mechanic is changing the driving belts of my recently purchased late 6.0 from 1995. The belts make a squeaking noise and neither the steering pump nor the alternator get enough power from them to work properly (aircon could also be more powerful).

The correct part for the compressor belt is supposed to be NAB4705AA, which I ordered. But my mechnic says, there was an EAC1605 installed before and he cant fit the new NAB4705AA. According to my research the EAC1605 is a part for the XJS 5.3 engine and not the 6.0.

What could be the background of the strange mix under the bonnet?

I have to admit that the guy is not exactly the brightest candle on the cake so I feel better to do some research myself...

Thanks in advance

Roland

 

Roland,

There used to be a real challenge in finding the correct late 6.0 aircon compressor. Is it possible that your car has had the aircon compressor changed at some point and therefore now uses the old EAC1605 belt?

A few photos might help the analysis.

Cheers

Paul

 

Thanks Paul, that might be an explanation. I just asked for some photos and will post them later...

Something else in this context: Can you by chance say approximately how long it takes a classic-Jaguar-experienced mechanic to change all the belts on the V12?

Cheers

Roland

 

Has he checked the harmonic balancer? Easy to check, with chalk or whiteout mark a line from the inner metal pieces to the outer ring. After the squeak, check the line. If it is not still straight, the balancer is shot. I don' think new ones are available, but there are several companies that rebuild them.

 

I'd guess 3-4 hours. The adjuster bolts are fine thread and are not the easiest to get to. There are 4 belts too: AC, fan, power steering and alternator. To get them off the belts have to be gently maneuvered around the fan, which isn't easy. Then each belt needs to be tightened to the correct tension with a wrench on the adjuster, usually one flat at a time. It's a tedious process. If Jaguar had used spring loaded tensioners the job would be much quicker.

 

I second the check on balancer.

 

I guess that if you know you're changing the belts, you can save time, and also then get to the adjusters a bit easier, by just cutting the old belts off?

Paul

 

Yes certainly. I find a flex hear ratchet wrench makes the job go much faster too. I've usually done it in conjunction with a fan and shroud out radiator cleaning, so having all that out of the way helps considerably.

 

It took exactly 3 1/2 hours and the compressor is definitely the original one (I compared it with some photos from the SNG website). So they must have changed the pulley for some reason.

Thanks for your help and best regards from Germany

Roland